If BBQ-ing on the deck is starting to be—or at least feel like—an everyday occurrence, shake things up to make this summer hotter than ever.

Lick the cone

Lick the cone

You may eat ice cream every day in the summer, but if you always go for the same old chocolate fudge ripple, you could be seriously missing out. Make your after-dinner treat a gourmet date by giving the kids ice pops, then drizzling you and your guy's ice cream with a bit of balsamic vinegar—it sounds weird, but tastes awesome—or get creative and try some of the recipes mentioned on the Ice Cream Geek blog. Why not have orange date ice cream?

Go for a ride

Go for a ride

With lots of cities—Denver, Washington DC, Chicago, and New York City among them—offering bike-sharing programs, it's easier than ever to grab a set of wheels. Rent one in a nearby city, or head to a local bike shop and hit a nearby trail. Fill your basket with a picnic lunch fit for a late-summer day.